I am currently a community college student, however my long term goal is to earn either a masters or doctorate in psychology. I am trying to be realistic about what my potential career opportunities are, and this forum was recommended to me as a good resource. I welcome any and all advice, regardless of whether you feel like it may crush my dream.
About me:
First and foremost, as a teenager I was diagnosed with prodromal schizophrenia, and mild OCD. After 10 years I have learned to live with the symptoms that resulted from it, although I only developed negative ones. As a result of this and many other difficulties in my life I have become passionate about a career in psychology. My ideal career would be applying my experiences, along with a degree, to help others living with mental illnesses. One of the red flags that I've been thinking of is that, from what I understand, a level of objectivity needs to be maintained. Having experienced what I have, would my sympathizing with their situation actually risk causing more harm than good? I also have a huge interest in speaking to others, informing them about stigma, self-stigma, and anything else that I could possibly hope to share to increase what they know. I had the privilege of speaking to all three of my professor's psych classes at the end of this last quarter, and when I spoke to my class it was an incredibly satisfying feeling. Students in there were shocked that I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the fact that they were shocked told me that it made an impression.
Random tidbits of info that may influence your response:
-Aside from one isolated incident involving auditory hallucinations in my mid-teens, I have never experienced anything besides negative symptoms
-Though I've learned to adapt, I do experience a majority of the negative symptoms, the primary ones being low motivation and a relative absence of emotion
-I consider myself to be very high functioning mentally. Not out of some narcissistic need to feel better about myself, but after decades of feedback from those around me. I am a member of American Mensa as well.
-I do believe that my diagnosis is accurate. I have done a lot of independent research and I am convinced that there was no mistake made. I am at peace with the diagnosis, and I do not let it define who I am. (I did, however, which is why destroying stigma/self-stigmatization is such an important cause for me).
I would appreciate any and all feedback that can be given. I want to figure out how I can best utilize what I have been through in order to help others who are struggling with mental illness. The last thing I would want to do is pursue a career in psychology, only to find out that what I felt would be a positive addition is actually detrimental to those I want to help.
Thanks 🙂
About me:
First and foremost, as a teenager I was diagnosed with prodromal schizophrenia, and mild OCD. After 10 years I have learned to live with the symptoms that resulted from it, although I only developed negative ones. As a result of this and many other difficulties in my life I have become passionate about a career in psychology. My ideal career would be applying my experiences, along with a degree, to help others living with mental illnesses. One of the red flags that I've been thinking of is that, from what I understand, a level of objectivity needs to be maintained. Having experienced what I have, would my sympathizing with their situation actually risk causing more harm than good? I also have a huge interest in speaking to others, informing them about stigma, self-stigma, and anything else that I could possibly hope to share to increase what they know. I had the privilege of speaking to all three of my professor's psych classes at the end of this last quarter, and when I spoke to my class it was an incredibly satisfying feeling. Students in there were shocked that I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the fact that they were shocked told me that it made an impression.
Random tidbits of info that may influence your response:
-Aside from one isolated incident involving auditory hallucinations in my mid-teens, I have never experienced anything besides negative symptoms
-Though I've learned to adapt, I do experience a majority of the negative symptoms, the primary ones being low motivation and a relative absence of emotion
-I consider myself to be very high functioning mentally. Not out of some narcissistic need to feel better about myself, but after decades of feedback from those around me. I am a member of American Mensa as well.
-I do believe that my diagnosis is accurate. I have done a lot of independent research and I am convinced that there was no mistake made. I am at peace with the diagnosis, and I do not let it define who I am. (I did, however, which is why destroying stigma/self-stigmatization is such an important cause for me).
I would appreciate any and all feedback that can be given. I want to figure out how I can best utilize what I have been through in order to help others who are struggling with mental illness. The last thing I would want to do is pursue a career in psychology, only to find out that what I felt would be a positive addition is actually detrimental to those I want to help.
Thanks 🙂
